Android is the most widely used mobile operating system. The most recent versions offer considerable protection against malware and allow you to make informed decisions about your privacy. But is that enough and what should you keep paying attention to?
Android actually has a similar problem to Windows. It is an ‘everyone’s operating system’ that runs on an enormous range of hardware. At the same time, many manufacturers – especially the B brands – often do not update Android to the most recent version. That certainly presents potential security problems. Fortunately, Google can now release security patches itself via the app store Google Play, but only in the most recent versions of Android.
That is also the first rule regarding security of your device: if you are running an older version than Android 10 and the manufacturer of your device is not planning to release an upgrade, then it is actually time to switch to a new device. to watch. Over time, the risks simply become too great.
Many Android versions have a long list of leaks and are actively used. Unpatched smartphones, tablets and set-top boxes are a popular target. Keep in mind that there is still a lot of use of antique Android versions such as KitKat. Not good, if you have something similar in use somewhere, then it is time to say goodbye to it.
Virus scanner?
Especially if you also install apps from outside the Google Play app store, a virus scanner is actually recommended. The chance that something unpleasant to ride is just there. Fortunately, many virus scanner manufacturers also allow the activation code of your desktop scanner to be used on your mobile, especially in the more extensive version of security packages. Make use of that, you don’t have to pay anything extra for the use of your Android scanner, as long as you use the same one as on your WindowsPC or Mac.
However, a mobile virus scanner definitely has an impact on the performance (and indirectly the battery consumption) of your phone or tablet. However, with modern scanners in combination with somewhat recent hardware, this is fortunately not too bad nowadays. Also keep in mind that spy or malware is occasionally found in apps from Google Play and you understand that a virus scanner under Android is useful.
Common sense
We dive into some settings regarding security and privacy under Android. Before we do that, however, we still lay claim to your common sense. If you’re not sure about the ins and outs when it comes to security and privacy, stick with apps from the official Google Play app store. These apps are monitored by Google itself, scanned for malware, and so on.
Avoid pointless fun apps from unknown creators, or apps whose names are very similar to those of a reputable app. Perhaps a maker is just trying to hitch a ride on the success of that big name, but you could also be tricked into installing a rogue ‘sounds-like’ app in this way.
Do not only go for the free apps. Sometimes it is simply better to spend some money on reliable software than to go for free alternatives over and over again. As tempting as that sounds. Bottom line it often turns out that you don’t get anything for nothing. Many free apps generate revenue by collecting and selling user data, for example. Ask yourself if you’re really okay with that.
Privacy
On to the promised privacy and security settings. Start – how could it be otherwise – the Settings app. First, tap on it Privacy. It makes little sense to go through all the options: these speak for themselves. What matters is that you have to take a very critical look at what you do and do not want to give permission for. In other words, what do you want Google to know about you, based on how you use your Android device and apps? Be sure to check which apps have access to certain parts such as your contacts, calendar, microphone and more. For that you tap – still under Privacy – on Rights management. You now see apps that use such a part per category. Ask yourself whether something like a Tetris clone, for example, really needs access to your contacts and (or) camera. In other words: be critical and healthy suspicious! Continue further below Privacy also the Advanced settings.
Security
Return to the main panel of the Settings app and tap on it Security. Make sure that Find my device is on. If your phone or tablet is ever stolen, you can secure your data remotely, for example. Or just find the device if you have lost it. Be sure to tap Encryption and data and make sure that the data on your device is encrypted. No one can access it without a password or access code (you had already set that up …?). Also check the others below Security falling matters critically.
Get rid of unfamiliar apps
As mentioned, you can in principle install apps from sources other than Google Play. It is unwise to do that unless you know exactly what you are doing. The option to do this should be disabled by default. In the more recent versions of Android – which we focus on – you do that by tapping Apps & notifications in Settings. Next, tap on Special app access and then on Install unknown apps. You will now see a list of any apps that you tried to install from outside the app store (and you also see, strangely enough, apps that were once downloaded from Google Play, but are no longer available there). For each ‘unknown’ app you can now use a switch to indicate whether you allow installation and use of it or not.
Google Play
Google Play, Google’s app store – also has some specific settings. Start the app and tap the button with the three bars at the top left of the screen. In the opened menu, tap Settings and go through all the options again critically. And that brings us back to the common sense factor. There is no single operating system that protects you from laxity. If, despite your gut feeling, you still click on a link in an e-mail from your ‘bank’ (which always indicates that you will never send e-mail, certainly not provided with e-mail with links), then you have evoked suffering mainly due to yourself. Also visiting malicious or questionable websites against your better judgment and installing apps offered unsolicitedly: typical cases of ‘your own fault, fat bump’. Even the very best security software does not protect you against that …
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